Momentarily startled, a grin spread slowly across my face at the sound of my best friend’s voice in my ear.
Spinning around, I wrapped her up in a hug. It was the first time I’d seen her in three weeks, and that was three weeks too long. She was the only person alive who understood me, and made me smile these days.
Millie was a few inches shorter than me with ash-blonde hair clustered into short curls around a heart-shaped face. Her hourglass figure with a slim waist and curvy hips usually had guys drooling.
“What are you doing here?” I placed my unwanted drink on a table, ignoring the glances from Patrick’s friends. They could think what they wanted, which they’d do anyway.
“Thought I’d rescue you now that I’m back in town.” She grinned.
I took hold of Millie’s hand and dragged her with me to the back of the bar as a sigh hovered on my lips. The wine bar was a favorite with lawyers and businessmen—a place where they could do business and spend company money on entertaining.
It might make it into one of my books, but that was about it. A small bar across town had my heart. The floor plan was tiny and, on weekends, there was hardly any room to move let alone breathe as the music blared through the place. But the food was amazing, and unexpected for a hole in the wall place. To me it was the best place in the world. The one place I felt at home whenever I visited. Julio, the owner, was always welcoming and had a ready smile for anyone who stepped through the doors.
I often spend the afternoon there with my laptop in front of me while I worked away on my next novel.
If only I had the courage to put my writing out there. It just got tiring being me all the time—the senator’s daughter; prim and always smiling for the camera…always pretending to be perfectly put together. The truth was I had a wild streak deep inside and it was fighting to break free.
I glanced back at Patrick and frowned. He kept me controlled to a certain degree and I allowed it. It was easier. But he’d changed. He wasn’t the carefree guy I’d started dating. He’d become more serious and since he started wearing suits for work, he’d acted differently toward his outlook, and me.
I felt like I was drowning, and sinking deeper into a life I didn’t want. I wanted to be free to enjoy the things I liked instead of the things he liked—wanted to be free to pursue my passions instead of presenting the front of perfect daughter for my dad’s constituents. It wasn’t only that because in the beginning Patrick had been charming and we’d had a satisfying relationship, although he hadn’t touched me that often. But now, it felt more like a chore for him, and I guess that was how I felt. Like I was with him, he was my fiancée so he had the right to want me the way he did, and when.
I shouldn’t feel like that.
“You need to pay attention,” Millie snapped her fingers in front of my face, an angry frown on hers. “We need to do something to get you out of this whole engagement farce.”
I blinked a few times, and watched my friend as she waved her hands around in front of my face. It was too loud to catch what she went on about, but I could guess.
Millie had never liked Patrick and thought he was only looking for a way in with my father. Their feelings were mutual though because Patrick couldn’t stand Millie. She found him too controlling, and he found her too clingy. He’d tried to end our friendship a few times and strangely, he’d sounded a lot like my mother as he went on about family connections and public image. But I’d ignored him. Millie was the sister I’d never had, and it would be a cold day in hell when I gave her up for anyone.
“Thank fuck.” Millie let out an exaggerated loud sigh when the music finished. “My ears hurt.”
“Do you want to leave?”
She looked stunned for a moment and then grinned. Taking my hand, she dragged me down the hall at the back, and didn’t stop until we were outside, down the back alley, and on the sidewalk haling a cab.
“Where are we going?” I stumbled into the cab when she shoved me on the ass. I landed sprawled on the seat as she fell on top of me, giving the driver an address.
He shot off while we untangled our limbs. “What was that about? We’re not five anymore.”
“I didn’t want us to be seen.” Millie straightened her top before she flashed a boob.
“Okay.”
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Did what?” As far as I was aware, I hadn’t done anything other than leave in a cab with her without letting anyone know.
Crap!
Trouble was going to stem from this.
I quickly grabbed my cell and shot Patrick a text that I’d call him tomorrow.
Steam would probably come out of his ears when he read my message. So I turned my cell on to vibrate and shoved it to the bottom of my purse. The last thing I wanted was for him to ruin my evening with Millie.
“You free now?”
“For a while.” I smiled and felt like a heavy burden had lifted from my chest. “I’m so glad you found me tonight. A surprise, but an amazing one.”